Para Archery
The competition format for the Paralympic Games is identical to that of the Olympic Games for the sport of archery. Paralympic Archery includes both wheelchair and ambulatory classes, as well as compound and recurve divisions.
Coordination Impairments
Athletes with a Coordination Impairment have one or more of the following three movement disorders that adversely affects the ability to voluntarily produce a full range of skilled movement fluidly, rapidly, and accurately:
- Hypertonia/Spasticity: an increase in muscle tension that may be velocity-dependent and/or a reduced ability of a muscle to stretch.
- Motor Ataxia: limited precision in direction and velocity of voluntary movement.
- Dyskinesia (Athetosis, Dystonia, Chorea): involuntary movements that interfere with voluntary movements.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions that can lead to coordination impairments include Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
Impaired Muscle Power
Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power have a reduced (or no) ability to contract their muscles to generate force that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting the structure and function of the central or peripheral nervous system or the muscles.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired muscle power include: spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida.
Impaired Passive Range of Motion
Athletes with Impaired Passive Range of Movement have a reduced ability for a joint to be passively moved that is consistent with an Underlying Health Condition affecting a structure of bones, joints, connective tissue, or soft tissues.
Examples of Underlying Health Conditions leading to impaired passive range of motion include: arthrogryposis and contracture resulting from chronic joint immobilization or trauma affecting a joint.
Limb Deficiency and/or Limb Length Difference
Athletes with Limb Deficiency or Limb Length Difference have a total or partial absence of a limb or anatomically irregular limb dimensions that are consistent with an Underlying Health Condition resulting from trauma (traumatic amputation), illness (example: amputation due to bone cancer), or congenital causes affecting the bones and/or joints (example: dysmelia).
This impairment group can be further divided into the following sub-categories:
- Limb deficiency
- Leg length difference and/or
- Arm length difference
Entering The Pathway
USATF Tier Resource Guide, opens in a new tabThe first step to high-performance in para track & field is to identify a club and coach in your area to start training with, see bottom of the page for the USA Track & Field club locator.
Click the link below for additional resources about high-performance in para track & field such as qualifying standards for international competition and athlete support.
Equipment
At minimum, athletes will need the following equipment to compete in para track & field:
- Running shoes or spikes
- Running blade (as applicable)
- Racing wheelchair (as applicable)
- Guide runner and tether (as applicable)
Additional equipment for training purposes can include:
- Shot put, disc, club, javelin, and throwing frame
Para Track & Field offers national classification at various events throughout the year. See below for how to get classified in Para Track & Field as well as the different classification groups.
Physical Impairments
Physical Impairment Medical Diagnosis Form, opens in a new tabTo secure a national physical impairment classification appointment an athlete needs to register for a U.S. Para Track & Field meet offering a classification panel. The full list can be found here.
- Athletes will need to fill out a Physical Impairment Medical Diagnosis Form and email it to classification@usatf.org at least 3 weeks prior to the chosen meet start date.
- The athlete's MDF will then be reviewed by Para Track & Field staff and the athlete will be added to the classification schedule.
- Athlete's will be given a classification appointment that takes place 1-2 days before the competition where the athlete will undergo both a physical and technical assessment.
- Based on the results of both assessments, athletes will be given a provisional classification that with either be confirmed or altered during competition.
Vision Impairments
National Vision Impairment MDF, opens in a new tabFor National Classification for visual impairments, classification is completed through the submission and review of paperwork. There is no in-person evaluation at the national level.
- See your Ophthalmologist and have him/her fill out the Visual Impairment Medical Diagnostic Form.
- Submit this form to classification@usatf.org to request national visual impairment classification.
- Visual impairment classifiers will review the athlete's paperwork and assign the athlete an appropriate class.
- USATF staff will communicate the outcome to the athlete.
Intellectual Impairments
Athletes Without Limits, opens in a new tabThe U.S. Paralympic Committee has partnered with Athletes Without Limits for all intellectual impairment classifications. Athletes Without Limits determines whether U.S. athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities are eligible for Paralympic competitions. The three main criteria to be eligible for the II-1 sport class of Paralympic competition are:
- IQ of 75 or below (Must be WISC, WAIS, Stanford-Binet or Raven)
- Significant limitations in Adaptive Behavior (Vineland, ABAS, or Other.)
Onset before age 18
To begin the classification process for intellectual impairments, click the link below.
Ambulatory Class
Wheelchair Classes
USA Track & Field Club Locator
USA Track & Field Club Locator, opens in a new tabFind a USA Track & Field club near you to begin your journey!
Pathway Progression
2026 Standards, opens in a new tabClick the link below to view Para Track & Field's 2026 standards. Continue training and competing to meet the standards and progress towards national team selection.
Athlete Development
USATF Athlete Development Pathway, opens in a new tabClick the link below for additional resources on getting started in para track & field.